So what game do you want Stardock to work on next?

Besides more GalCiv -- don't worry, that's a given

from GalCiv2 Forums

So you want not just a strategy game and not just a strategy game with a fantasy setting but a 4X, turn-based fantasy strategy game.  That answer received more votes than all of the other choices put together.  There are some very good turn-based strategy games out there already. They're not 4X per-se, but they are excellent games.  A few I recommend include Age of Wonders 2: Shadow Magic and Dominions 2 (Dominions 3 is in development).  Heroes of Might & Magic V was also recently released.

As some people are aware, Stardock has been trying to license the rights to Master of Magic.  For various reasons that I can't go into, it's not looking like that's going to happen in the time frame we're looking for.  And if we did make a 4X fantasy strategy game that didn't use the name Master of Magic, it would not be a clone of MoM.  We would proceed with our own design (though we have some ideas that are similar such as randomly generated maps, city building, spell research, etc.). 

Another popular choice was surprising -- NON-MMO RPGs.  I have to admit that we'd like to do an RPG.   A Baldur's Gate / Planetscape Torment style RPG but with a 3D engine.  I think the traditional RPG market has been underserved in the last few years.  Oblivion and the upcoming sequel to Neverwinter Nights have definitely helped but I think it's a market that has been under served.

Society, which is a long-term development project at Stardock, got some decent support.  It continues forward at a steady pace.  The IT infrastructure for it is what ultimately will take the longest to do more so than the game itself.  And there was a healthy demand for an RTS.  I would definitely like to see an RTS version of GalCiv II -- a streamlined UI with streamlined game mechanics.  I'd want to see an RTS with tactical battles that are integrated into the main screen.  I think next year when Supreme Commander comes out that the RTS world will be in for some real changes in how games of that genre should be made.  Total Annihilation remains my favorite game of all time and I think it introduced a lot of concepts that we take for granted today and its spiritual sequel will likely do the same.

Arcade and adventure games didn't get much support. But come on, who here wouldn't love to see a remake of Planetfall or Loom?

Our eventual goal at Stardock is to be able to release a new game each year.  We're not quite there yet but we're hiring developers and 3D artists as fast as we can. Go here if you're interested. We would essentially need to build out 3 full game development teams to do that.  We've got just about 2 now so we have a ways to go.

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Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
A 4x strategy game - how creative of the community to vote for this idea...

I personally would like to see Stardock focus more attention on their free MMO type game (Society). The more of these that succeed (like Guild Wars), the better. I don't like the idea of subscription based gaming, and it would be great to see Stardock fight this fight (they've already done a great job of fighting the no copy protection fight).

-HM
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
4X strategy games like GalCiv2 and the Civilization series are just popular I'm a fan of those type games myself.

although, it could be possible to have role playing elements through a campaign of some kind which allows multiple paths.

still, a strategy based game with magic/fantasty elements is cool I'd also like to see empire building/city building elements such as building cities and all.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I would definitely like to see a remake of Loom... that was one of my favorites or perhaps a new Simon the Sorcerer (which is in the works somewhere, but not much info).
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
How about a Mecha game? Could you do that? Doesn't have to have cutting edge graphics but I'd like to see complexity in build outs of the Mech and lots of cool deployables. Online competition is a must. I want Mechwarrior for smart people.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have to admit that we'd like to do an RPG. A Baldur's Gate / Planetscape Torment style RPG but with a 3D engine.


I voted for a fantasy 4X game, but based on the quoted phrase: can I change my vote to "RPG"?
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
So we will be getting a Fantastic Civilizations, huh?   Appart from Society, a good RPG would be most welcomed. But a real RPG and not a FPS in disguise...  
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Dear lord,

A FANTASY based 4X strategy game by the makers of GalCiv and GalCiv II (some of the best games in the universe)!?!?! I nearly passed out in happiness. Although I would like to see Society get finished in a timely fashion, as it seems to be a rather unique and fun idea (anyone here play Planetarion, cause it reminds me of a better graphics version of that).

Could I be sure to have a full scale fantasy unit creator? I want to equip my wraiths with mithril swords, golden helmets, and bone shields... Might not work as well as the GalCiv ship creator, but it would be an interesting touch.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
i think it would be pretty interesting to see a fantasy 4x structured much like GalCiv. a tech tree with different branches of magic, biology, metalurgy... custom units built within your tech limits. biology techs providing bodies(hulls). metalurgy for better swords. enchantment techs to enhance your offense and defense. clairvoyance tech rather than sensor tech. you could reuse a lot of code but certainly combat would be much different. you might have to make combat more tactical than it is now. but if you can find a way to work a combined arms model of ground combat that runs itself i would be cool with that too. i would certainly hate to see it turn into what age of wonders often did. build an uber hero or 2 and let them slaughter whole armies with their insane speed and maneuvering. either way it would be quite different than any of the turn based fantasy games i have gotten my hands on. it would also likely prove to be as, if not more, modable then GalCiv.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
cool, another dominions fan...

to expand on having just a "tech" tree for research... maybe the construction of buildings first before research is allowed... and a certain level of research in combination to open new branches of research

for example, you have the blacksmith - and through research and some upgrades you get to a certain level of research... combined with a branch of magic that lets you bind defensive/offensive spells to weapons and armor, you would then be able to forge magical weapons and armor.

higher yet would allow u to bind other spells to articles of clothing to create boots of speed or cloaks of invisibility... to give your units 2x the attack or the ability to sneak around or 1st strike ability-
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm kinda surprised by the support of AoW- the game had really crappy AI, even by non-stardock standards.

Never heard of Dominions- don't think I've seen it in a store ever.

Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yeah personally I favor an RPG somewhere in the line of Baldars Gate or Fallout, something with branching sidequests and an ability to really customize your hero(s). Personally I could go for either a fantasy or sci-fi game, as long as its good.

I dunno, a fantasy 4x there are already plenty of games with a similar structure, and the big thing that made Galciv2 take off (the ship customizability) would be much harder to implement. I guess they could have a make your own monster thing. Snap on a leg for faster movement, antenna/eyes for more 'sensors', stuff like that. Hmm a spore 4x strat game lol.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm torn. I loved playing master of Magic. I even kinda enjoyed fuxx0ring with my autoexec.bat to free up 613Kb to get 'er to run. And I was just about to say that if you could do a fantasty RPG with GalCiv2-class AI, I'd LOVE it. I literally typed that.

Then I deleted it.

I've said and you've said: with a 4x game the AI is the game.

I don't want GalCiv2 with different pictures. Spend the resources on a GC expansion pack instead - I'll get that, and happily.

And jeez... aren't you kinda all 4x-ed out?

here's what I want: I want the game you really want to make. I have a huge respect for and trust in your capability and judgement. You work on the game that you feel you can really commit to and be passionate about, and I'll buy it, because I think, whatever genre it is, it'll be worth my money and time.

Howzat for a deal?
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm kinda surprised by the support of AoW- the game had really crappy AI, even by non-stardock standards.

Never heard of Dominions- don't think I've seen it in a store ever.


Not that surprising. It's an indie effort by Swedish(?) programmers. Shrapnelgames distributes the games. I've never played Dominions myself, but now that part 3 is about to get released, I'll definitely try to get my hands on it.

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Illwinter/Dom3/1.htm

Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
BTW I hate Shadowmagic. The game just doesnt play right :/ Whatever you guys decide to do next is fine with me. I'll be awaiting with anticipation.
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I would love to see some flavor in a TBS 4X game. Something else than "everyone starts on the same foot and tries to get along".

I want a race who's already colonized a good part of territory, and have insanely powerful magic and combat skills, but they stopped expanding, not treathening anyone around them (except if you WANT to have problem with them). They would be a major power for a time (until an alliance of rag-tag races finally beat them). (I nominate the elves).

I want a territory where raiders spawns every turns, and armies do too. A territory that forces One's to build a huge army, but forcing it to keep a defensive posture because of the nearby treath. (I nominate Orc's plains, orcs being the random barbarians sprouting out of it)

The different faction the human player would play will be.. well, humans! But think of the customizations that could be available for many human empires. Think of Thay and Waterdeep, Cormyr and and Zenthil Keep. Think of Amn and Calishman. All human empires, who are competitors or allies, and who had to build themselves AROUND the other major races..

THAT would be nice features. Special un-playable races that One's has to take into account.

GalCiv2 should have those special features as well. remoted planets (or at the middle of borders?) with special technologies, that has more incident on game play than just a random event. An area of the galaxy (or a race of the galaxy) where pirates spawns and the crime prosper. 6-7 planets already colonized by a Uber-Race (I would call for the Min'Bari) who will kick you ass if you just scratch the paint of their hull's ship, but otherwise be leaving everone else's around.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
My first choice would be Society (www.societygame.com, if anyone is interested [and you should be]), because I have never played a high-quality MMO-RTS before But that is already a given (ie being worked on right now), so my vote would go for a Fantasy 4x Strategy.

I am not sure how many people are aware of Society, though - hopefully, awareness will increase as we get closer to its launch date.
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Just a few words for you to consider: The Temple of Elemental Evil by Troika.

This game was utter perfection(aside from the usual atari bugginess) in 4X RPG fantasy gaming. I have been looking forward to someone taking up the helm on a sequel(at least in spirit?) ever since I beat that game for the first time(and 2nd and 3rd and 4th times). The combination of turn-based strategy combined with RPG style leveling system was a recipe for Pure Addiction.

Anyways I am not sure what happened to the Troika guys, and I am sure the liscence for making a game set in the same realm would be sealed up tight in atari's vaults, but that doesn't mean the formula has to go away as well. I think that type of game would be hugely successful(as proved by the poll results) if given the kind of TLC that stardock gives all its titles.

So please give this some thought, I know quite a few RPG boards that would go absolutely crazy over the idea of a spiritual successor to that classic. Thanks.
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Wow, I remember Loom...great game, and fun interactive musical sequences. Right up there with Hero Quest and Monkey Island.
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I would -LOVE- to see a Stardock take on something roughly Oblivion-like.
Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I'm still solidly in the 4X fantasy strategy game camp. MoM was great in it's day. I loved it. But what I'm dreaming of is something that has the flavor of MoM but the 'polish' that Stardock can give the concept.

And it has to be multiplayer.

I'm all with V1m's post above. He says:

here's what I want: I want the game you really want to make. I have a huge respect for and trust in your capability and judgement. You work on the game that you feel you can really commit to and be passionate about, and I'll buy it, because I think, whatever genre it is, it'll be worth my money and time.

Yeah. Hell yeah. So follow your muse. I'll be following you.

Of course, you HAVE indicated that you really wanted to remake MoM and do it right... (Grins)


Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I would really love a good planescape: torment type rpg.

I will say this, please for the love of god, if you make an rpg dont skimp on the story! I want some meat to my adventure, not just pretty graphics. *cough* Oblivion *cough* Its not that I want the game to look bad, but it doesnt have to be some photo realistic masterpiece. Give me a deep plot, with some nice surprises, and more then one or two endings (not just a good and evil path).

A good selection of intriguing npcs party members and plot characters. NPC party members that talk to you, and talk to one another, watch them become friends, enemies, lovers with one another and your avatar.

Small side quests, big side quests, but above all else, fun and interesting side quests both interlaced with the plot and completely seperate. With some cool consequences, like being a small towns hero, or being hunted down by assassins for someone you wronged.

I want to feel like I am growing (non of this monsters level with you junk). Oblivion is beautiful and all, but its short, and no matter how strong you are, the monsters are always on par (its only saving grace for me are the mods that "fix" this problem).

Well my lil rants done and over, I've been hit by a bad case of nostalgia.
I am confident though that whatever you guys make will be enjoyable.
Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Whatever you do, the fastest way to lose a player like me is to take time away from the galciv genre in order to make fantasy/role playing games. I have had more than enough of men in tights running around saying forsooth and casting magic spells. That crap is so disgustingly ubiquitous that anything added to the genre would either have to be a real blockbuster or it would just fade into the mass of mediocre games that hardly anyone remembers.
Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
BTW, Dominions is extremely fun! Its got the lowest production values of any modern game (the units are so blatantly 2D sprites superimposed on a 3d background that its not funny, they look like cardboard cutouts), but the game play is so much fun. You summon huge monsters, you cast unbelievable spells, you try to become a God. The character creator is half the fun (you do this everytime you start the game to make you main "wizard" leader).

If Stardock could take some of the flexibility of Dominions (the main character creator, the huge magic spell list, the risk style turn based aspect) and add a nice tactical combat mode (you don't control your armies in Dominions, they fight it out in front of you base loosly on general orders given at army creation -- i.e. Archer: Shoot Closest Enemy, Cavalry: Attack Enemy Archers), that would be stellar. I still think that slightly customizable armies would be nifty. My idea would be to research or have base units, such as Ghouls, Wraiths, Zombies, Skeletons, and Vampires for Undead. Then, in a manner like Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, you add researched components that modify the unit's cost, speed, attack, defense, etc. Thus you take base Wraiths and add researched Horses to their movement slot -- voila you have Mounted Wraiths. Then add Spectral to their armor slot -- you have Ghostly Mounted Wraiths. In game terms this would add +2 movement points and allow for them to ignore 25% of enemy attacks.

The unique part of this could be to craft several novel factions that each had certain special parts of their tech tree. Maybe some parts would be universal (horses, mithril armor, blessed/cursed swords) but others could be faction specific (spectral body, drain blades, disease aura). Heck, the only MoM days had tons of units that had hundreds of different permutations of special skills and powers. And that was back in the "Golden" days for computer gaming (read - memory managing, MS-Dos configuring, corrupted 3 1/4 disk days).

Anyway, finish Society, then move on.

Bitobah